Smaug's $0.02
Well, Clark said to do it better than it's ever been done before.
Let's review. From the last time we fielded a team until this morning:
1. Shiny new football facility and practice fields. No more dentist's office and lumpy sandpits.
2. 8-4. Best record in the FBS era. You know we didn't field a team last year, right?
3. Leading the conference in attendance.
Other than 2014, which ended on such a grim note and shouldn't have, I'm having a hard time remembering being this excited about football at the end of November. So many years there was a shameful side of me glad it was over. Friends, we've sat through some of the most miserable football God saw fit to see played on the skin of this earth over the years.
I only got a little misty once yesterday. It was after the game, leaving through the north gate like I always have, running the gauntlet of happy players and their friends and families, and fellow fans. Laughing with Shaq Jones. It was when I thought of how sky high I was in that moment juxtaposed against how angry, and sad, and generally demoralized I'd been so many times making that same walk.
This whole season has been a real life fairy tale.
Anywho, on to the observations:
Pretty pedestrian game over a bad team, truth be told. We held UTEP to 2 of 11 on 3rd down. We've gotten so much better at this since the start of the season. Meanwhile we went 10 of 16. Move the chains. Win the game.
The Good
AJ Erdely He's not going to dazzle you with his numbers. He's just going to be ruthlessly efficient. 15/25 for 159 yards and 2 TDs. Took a couple of sacks he shouldn't have, or he'd have ended up with 200+ total yards. That TD to Lisa was a dart in a tight little window. Maybe his best throw of the season. Speaking of...
Colin Lisa 7 catches for 76 yards and a TD. Dude is pretty much good for a first down every throw and he catches everything. Kind of disappeared the last couple of weeks, so it was nice to see him have a good game.
Xavier Ubosi One catch for 26 yards, but it was a pretty catch and run. Anyone besides me like to see him get a lot more touches?
Broderick Thomas Big DB. Will step into the hole and hit you on a running play, and can cover. Speaking of...
Our whole secondary has become pretty damn good.
The Bad
Les, it's legal to throw on first down. That is all.
The Ugly
That damn DJ. Bled all over the fans, the band, AND Scudder. Dude was actively suppressing organic noise. Please. Somebody do something.
So, what does this mean, Barbara?
I've believed for a long time that we were a decent coach away from contending in this conference every year. Well, here we are. On a personal note, I want very badly to attend the bowl game. I am not a man of unlimited means, and I have happily spent money I could barely afford on this football team. I don't want sympathy. Just voicing a lament I doubt I'm alone on. Please, Coach. Is there an option that rewards the team AND gives fans a chance to get to and support them?
So, anyway. We're going bowling, and I've never been more optimistic about the future of UAB football. It hardly needs mentioning that the present is pretty damn groovy.
(This post was last modified: 11-26-2017 10:18 AM by Smaug.)
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